Re-Introducing: National Association of SuperTwins

The National Association of Supertwins is basically a club for people who want to drag race bikes with one, twin cylinder motor, and who don't want (or can't afford) to go the four cylinder route.

We are a non-territorial, national, ACU affiliated, competition club which started back in 1991 when some Swedish racers came to the UK. The bikes they brought with them - 7 Harleys and a Triumph - were recognisable to street riders, loud, brash and fast.

By the spring of 1992, Supertwins in the UK had their first race meeting, under the wing of the Streetbike Drag Club and Supertwins Ltd.. Aside from the fashionable Harleys with their Evolution engines, many famous marques now had a class that they could be competitive in - there were Triumphs, BSAs, Nortons, MotoGuzzis and Ducatis alongside Yamahas and Hondas. The bike's street heritage was clearly apparent - some of the "Street" class boys (and girls) would ride their bikes to the meetings, tape up the lights and have a go!

Throughout 1992 and 1993, the Supertwins section of SBDC grew, and by mid 1993 the riders wanted their own association - their own voice and controlling organisation. In November 1993, the ACU officially recognised the National Association of Supertwins (NAST) by granting the club non-territorial status. Supertwins drag racing in the UK came of age, via NAST and it's 150 plus membership.

During 1993, two of the British Competition Class competitors ran in the FIM recognised EuroSeries of Supertwins, one of them, Adam Hewitt, not only won the European Championship, but also set new European records for both 1/8 and 1/4 mile E.T. (elapsed time) and T.S. (Terminal speed). Adam's 1/4 mile record was set at the British Championship Finals with an ET of 7.456 seconds and a TS of 176.90 mph.

NAST has now become a recognised group within British Bike Drag Racing, and over the years, we have held our competition rounds at Santa Pod, Shakespeare County Raceway (formerly Avon Park) and York Dragway. Our series is usually 5 or 6 rounds over the summer season, including the UK National Finals meeting. For 2007, we will be running at Santa Pod and Shakespeare County Raceways - please watch or web site for the dates.

Our class structure is simple:

• Street Class - simple modifications and tuning only, ride it in, tape up the lights, and go racing! The record is held by a Ducati at 9.98 seconds and 139mph
• Street Modified - air shifters, nitrous oxide - should still be pretty much street legal but no requirement for MOT/Tax. The record is held by a Cagiva Raptor at 9.302 seconds and 154.23mph.
• Top Gas - first of the competition classes - purpose built, do what you like mechanically, but must run on commercially available "petrol" The record is held by a (modified) Yamaha RD twin at 9.049 and 145.55mph.
• Top Fuel - do what you like mechanically, and run it on pretty much whatever you want to! The record is still held by Adam Hewitt's Harley at 7.22 seconds and 186mph.

New for 2007, the Club has decided to encourage more street riders into competition by having the Street and Street Modified classes run together under an overall E.T. (elapsed time) format - in which each rider sets a time that he/she wishes to hit and the starts are effectively "handicapped" so that (1) the faster bike/rider doesn't always win and (2) both bikes reach the finish line together to ensure an exciting end to the race.

The details are all in the ACU Handbook, and on the club's website - www.supertwins.co.uk - and the bikes are subject to the Club's Technical Committee approval for class as well as normal racetrack scrutineering. We like to have bikes that look the part as well as perform, so show standard is good, but not essential.

NAST have also had club stands at a number of shows, some local, some national - Bulldog Bash, Extreme Wheels, Rock and Blues, Stafford Classic to name a few.

Supertwinners have been known to be a bit boisterous at times - dodgem cars on the start line at Shakespeare County a few years ago, and some of the pit decorations need to be seen to be believed!

Now the question that everyone gets around to, sooner or later, how much does it cost? Well, it depends how fast you want to go! As far as bikes go, other than Top Fuel, somewhere between £2000 and £5000 would get you a competitive machine, and, depending on how reliable ( read - if it ain't broke, don't fix it!) a few of gallons of petrol, a couple of chains and a tyre would be the running costs. Each competitor is required to have an ACU licence (currently £42 ). The entry fees seem steep, at £110 or so for two days, but when you realise that you get your race entry, insurance and so on, and three crew tickets it's not quite so bad. What you eat and drink is over to you.

So, if you are not into circuit racing, and you like twin cylinder bikes, here's a group and series that is available to you - the guys and girls are a friendly bunch, the racing is at national and occasionally international meetings, and it's probably the least expensive way to take part in a national level competition. And you're not likely to get t-boned at the first corner!!